Freeman bashes two homers as Braves top Marlins

Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman continued to feast on the visiting Miami Marlins, hitting two solo home runs and driving in four in the Braves' 5-1 win on Tuesday.

Freeman ended a 0-for-12 streak by going 3-for-4 and producing his second multi-homer game in five days. He hit his first homer in the fourth inning, added another homer in the fifth and chased home a pair of runs in the seventh with a single.

The 29-year-old All-Star has 33 homers and a league-leading 102 RBIs, the second time he's surpassed 100 in his career.

In 17 games against Miami this season, Freeman is batting .354 (23-for-65) with five homers and 16 RBIs. He has 29 career homers against the Marlins, his highest total against any opponent.

The Braves have won three in a row, and they improved to 13-4 against the Marlins. Atlanta increased its lead in the National League East to six games over the second-place Washington Nationals.

Atlanta starter Dallas Keuchel (4-5) pitched six strong innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. The southpaw has allowed one run over his past 12 innings. Keuchel earned the 1,000th strikeout of his career when he fanned Elieser Hernandez to open the third inning.

The maligned Atlanta bullpen covered the final three innings. Luke Jackson, Shane Greene and Chris Martin each pitched one scoreless frame.

Marlins reliever Tyler Kinley (1-1) took his first career loss after allowing one run in two innings.

The game began with fireworks. In the bottom of the first, Hernandez hit Ronald Acuna Jr. in the back with his first pitch. Both teams were given a warning, and Atlanta manager Brian Snitker was ejected for arguing. The two teams had a similar incident on Aug. 15, 2018, when Acuna was plunked by Miami's Jose Urena to set off an on-field incident.

Hernandez had to leave the game early after pitching four innings when a blister developed on his right middle finger. He allowed one run on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Jon Berti hit a solo homer, his fourth.

Atlanta catcher Brian McCann left the game in the fourth inning due to left knee soreness.